NEW ORLEANS — Cast members of Nightwatch, a new A&E Netowrk series that follows emergency responders in New Orleans, weigh in with what they consider some of the most important lessons for anyone in EMS.
1. Coworkers are your most important resource
“In the middle of the night, the only thing you can count on is your partner is going to be there.”
2. Not everyone can handle it
“EMS is the job that everybody wants until they’re there, and then when you’re there you can’t wait to leave.”
3. It’s a weird job
“When you leave, you can’t wait to come back.”
4. Every day is a different day
“When you come to work, you have to be willing to accept change.”
5. Paramedics are not ambulance drivers
“I do a lot more than drive an ambulance.”
6. We’re human
“We’re not perfect. We make mistakes.”
7. Do not stand in front of a drunk person’s face
“They went to throw up and it’s like, ‘don’t … don’t’”
8. No one says thank you
“Don’t expect somebody to pat you on the back.”
9. Blood comes out with peroxide
10. When you need us, we’re there
“24/7, 365 days a year.”